How to say "Thanks!"

[Jezsik]

I've been hanging around the ol' lounge, on and off, for a couple of years (and was kinda miffed that my designation, until recently, was "New Lounger"... but I digress). I like a good, clean thread. So, I'm careful not to contribute to a thread unless I have something valueable (IMHO) to add. This is why I have never included such posts as "Thanks," or "I'll try that" which does nothing more than move the thread to the top of the list.
<img src=/S/lightbulb.gif border=0 alt=lightbulb width=15 height=15> Well, dang it all, I want to thank those folks who've taken the time to help me. Yet I still want to avoid useless (non-contributory) messages. So, can we (well, "I" at least), have some kinda feedback response for our posts? I dunno, maybe a "Got it!" icon that we can attach directly to the post that helped us? Otherwise some kind of private message capability (from one lounger to another) so we can send out thanks without cluttering up the discussion forum.

[ileacy]

Hi Jezsik

The lounge has a Private Message capability. Just click on PostBox from the lounge menu, then "Send Message" to the loungers username (eg. I am ileacy and you are Jezsik).

[Leif]

I don't think too many people mind a brief "Thank you" - especially if you are confirming the reply was of help, as this can be a guide to others.
You can change the subject line as well, so that users viewing with expanded threads can see the problem was solved and do not need to open up and read the whole thread again.
Play it by ear - if you think a final response can help clarify or confirm a solution, make it.

[KTYorke]

I agree with you to an extent. Sometimes the simple thank you messages help by letting other loungers know that the solution worked. I find that very helpful at times, especially when there is more than on solution to choose from.
have fun

[DaveA]

But we do NOT need to add another Thank you to the Thank you's. I have seen this on some sites, where have of the thread is nothing but these thank you's to the other thank you.

[Jezsik]

Me too!

Duh-Oh! Well, at least we are thankfully free of that that old newsgroup favorite.

[Eileen]

Guys, this is dealt with in the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/rules.pl?Cat=>Rules</A>:

Thanking people for help received
If several people have contributed help in solving your problem, there is no need to post individual thank-you replies to each of them. Make one reply to the thread, thanking them all. If you edit the Subject line to read "Thanks folks" then people can skip it if they are in a hurry.

It also warns against the dreaded "Me too", there. <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

[LegareColeman]

A thank you message that lets people know that a response solved your question is not a waste of a message. It should identify to everyone that your problem has been solved, and no additional responses are necessary. That may actually cut the number of messages posted.

Also, remember one other thing. The thank you is the only "pay" that the many people here who spend a lot of time answering questions get.

I also do not think that using a private message for a thank you for help given in public is the best way to do it.

[Eileen]

I agree. The "Thank you" should be public - as a reply to the thread.

[ilona53]

Yes, I agree also...and we DO need a smilie 'thank you' too....*hint hint* <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

[Eileen]

<img src=/S/bow.gif border=0 alt=bow width=15 height=15> <img src=/S/bravo.gif border=0 alt=bravo width=16 height=30> <img src=/S/cheers.gif border=0 alt=cheers width=30 height=16> <img src=/S/fanfare.gif border=0 alt=fanfare width=31 height=23> <img src=/S/trophy.gif border=0 alt=trophy width=15 height=15> Won't these do?

[LegareColeman]

There are already several:

<img src=/S/bingo.gif border=0 alt=bingo width=15 height=22> <img src=/S/bravo.gif border=0 alt=bravo width=16 height=30> <img src=/S/clever.gif border=0 alt=clever width=15 height=15> <img src=/S/fanfare.gif border=0 alt=fanfare width=31 height=23> <img src=/S/king.gif border=0 alt=king width=21 height=22> <img src=/S/kiss.gif border=0 alt=kiss width=15 height=15> <img src=/S/queen.gif border=0 alt=queen width=19 height=20> <img src=/S/rose.gif border=0 alt=rose width=15 height=15> <img src=/S/starstruck.gif border=0 alt=starstruck width=15 height=15> <img src=/S/trophy.gif border=0 alt=trophy width=15 height=15>

[SparkyPatrick]

I'm told that your designation relates directly to the nuber of posts you make, so there's another reason to say thank you.

Personally, I always like to know how someone got on with any advice I gave. Thanks is always nice, but even knowing it didn't work is useful! 'Those who do no remember the past are condemned to repeat it'; or just, 'learn fron your mistakes'.

[Jezsik]

I realize that this is dealt with in the Rules; I really did read them first. I should have made it clear that I was wishing for a method of saying thanks that did not push the thread to the top of the list. I realize that this would be pretty complicated -- and a "nice to have" rather than a must have." Now, either most loungers are rude for not saying thank you (as there are not a lot of those types of posts), or they feel the way I do -- not wanting to add to and promote the thread. I suspect the latter.
Anyway, "Thanks!" to all who've replied. I'll go away now. <img src=/S/threadhead.gif border=0 alt=threadhead width=28 height=31>